Hi I'm Christina Hartman for About.com and this video profiles one of the most classic Holiday comedies of all time, 'A Christmas Story.'A Christmas Story was directed by Bob Clark and co-scripted by Jean Shepherd. The movie's plot is also loosely based on short stories by Shepherd. In the weeks leading to Christmas you can likely find 'A Christmas Story' on TV, including airing in a 24-hour marathon that plays on TBS every year.'A Christmas Story' centers around Ralph "Ralphie" Parker, played by Peter Billingsley, and his quest to receive a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. He asks his parents, teacher and even the local mall Santa Claus for the gift. But every time, he is given the same response: "You'll shoot your eye out." On Christmas morning, Ralphie is given the toy gun he desired, and when he goes to play with it he, ironically, does get hit by a ricochet BB near his eye. Even for those who have not seen the movie, there are some scenes that have become famous in pop culture, like the "Triple Dog Dare" scene where one of Ralphie's friends sticks his tongue to a frozen pole on the school playground. 'A Christmas Story' was released in theaters the week before Thanksgiving in 1983, earning a little more than $2 million in its opening weekend, and about $20 million total in the U.S.The film is played mostly during the holiday season. In 1997 TNT began airing a 24-hour marathon of the film every Christmas Eve that runs into Christmas Day. In 2004, the marathon started airing on TBS instead. The marathon has become quite the tradition. In 2010, the marathon averaged 3 million viewers, ranking TBS as the top cable network for the 24-hour period.Thanks for watching our profile of 'A Christmas Story.' For more information, check out About.com